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2015 FIFA Women's World Cup

The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup was the seventh edition of FIFA's women's international soccer championship.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup was the seventh edition of FIFA's women's international soccer championship. Hosted by Canada, it ran from 6 June to 5 July 2015 and was the first Women's World Cup held in Canada. The tournament featured 24 teams, expanded from 16 in 2011, and matches were played in six cities across five time zones. The United States won the final, defeating Japan 5–2 in Vancouver.

Background and hosting

Canada was awarded the tournament and became the first Canadian host of the FIFA Women's World Cup. It was also only the third Women's World Cup staged in North America.

Tournament format

The 2015 edition featured 24 national teams, up from 16 in the previous tournament. A total of 52 matches were played in a group stage and knockout format.

Canada's performance

Canada advanced from Group A and reached the quarterfinals, where it was eliminated by England. This was a stronger result than Canada's 2011 tournament performance.

Final and champion

The final was played on 5 July 2015 at BC Place in Vancouver. The United States defeated Japan 5–2 to claim the title.

Legacy

The tournament set attendance records for the Women's World Cup and was widely noted for its popularity in Canada. It also increased visibility for women's soccer in the country.

Key facts

  • First FIFA Women's World Cup hosted by Canada.
  • Tournament expanded from 16 teams in 2011 to 24 teams in 2015.
  • Matches were played in six Canadian cities across five time zones.
  • The United States won its third Women's World Cup title, defeating Japan 5–2 in the final.
  • Canada reached the quarterfinals before being eliminated by England.
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Canadian context

This was a major Canadian sporting event: Canada hosted the tournament nationwide, the national team reached the quarterfinals, and the competition helped raise the profile of women's soccer in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Was the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup held in Canada?
Yes. Canada hosted the tournament for the first time and became the first Canadian host of the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Which team won the 2015 Women's World Cup?
The United States won the tournament, defeating Japan 5–2 in the final.
How many teams took part in the 2015 tournament?
Twenty-four teams competed, an increase from 16 teams in 2011.
Did Canada win the tournament?
No. Canada reached the quarterfinals but was eliminated by England.
Where was the final played?
The final took place at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_FIFA_Women's_World_Cup
    Supports: Tournament dates, host country, number of teams, number of matches, and overall competition details.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_at_the_FIFA_Women's_World_Cup
    Supports: Canada's group stage and advancement to the knockout stage.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_FIFA_Women's_World_Cup_final
    Supports: Final venue and result between the United States and Japan.
  4. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/2015-fifa-womens-world-cup
    Supports: Canada as host, quarterfinal result, and the tournament's significance in Canada.
  5. CONCACAF — https://www.concacaf.com/news/the-growth-of-the-fifa-women-s-world-cup-from-canada-2015-to-france-2019
    Supports: Attendance record and economic impact in Canada.